Butcher fined over hygiene

A family-owned Lincolnshire butcher has been fined £2,000 for “significant contraventions” of food hygiene rules.

Lincolnshire Meats in Woodhall Spa was found guilty of failing to disinfect knives used in the handling of cooked products and not maintaining an adequate temperature on its hot food display.

East Lindsey District Council also found that pre-packed cooked bacon joints were also offered for sale without a use-by date and that raw chickens past their use-by date (not for sale) were found on the premises.

Mike Harrison, East Lindsey District Council commercial team leader, said that prosecution was the only option after Lincolnshire Meats was served with several Hygiene Improvement Notices for similar food safety offences last year.

Butcher Roger Papworth, who pleaded guilty to the offences, told the local media he had now made the necessary changes. But he added: “EU regulations say I cannot leave cooked chickens on top of the counter. I’ve been trying to give the customers what they want, but it doesn’t quite comply with the law.”